https://simplecast.com The Digital Junk Drawer The podcast where creative service-based businesses come to get the bites and bobs, the tools and advice they need to piece together their online business 2025 en Fri, 1 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000 Fri, 1 May 2026 14:49:29 +0000 https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com The Digital Junk Drawer https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/06da072d-e7b7-498b-a3c7-01c01ce680c6/a58f8c3d-f76a-4fd1-a661-9526ab6122a6/3000x3000/1.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com episodic The podcast where creative service-based businesses come to get the bites and bobs, the tools and advice they need to piece together their online business Kathleen Stewart true https://feeds.simplecast.com/QEP36m_5 creative business, creative business strategies, ethical business, ethical business practices, freelancer strategies, online marketing, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, small business, sustainable business, sustainableproductivity, tools for entrepeneurs The Main Stage hello@themainstage.ca 68cb8804-6890-4fd6-86b3-1459473aa9a5 Proof Comes After Bravery You'll hear about

The $300 decision that turned into a whole business epiphany
Kat went to a Prof concert in Montreal, had an existential crisis about why she was obsessed with a bald white guy who humps the air, and ended up doing a full psychological breakdown of her own buying behavior. The result? A clearer understanding of what actually drives purchase decisions — and why emotional environments matter more than perfect offers.

Why people rally around weird
The Prof concert wasn't full of people who looked the same. Face tattoos, little kids, ten-foot giants — all there for the same reason: proof of concept that you can be strange as fuck and still move people. Kat breaks down what that magnetism actually is and why we're all searching for it.

Leaving ops behind (for real this time)
After a year of self-directed curriculum in Emotional Economics — the psychology, sociology, and anthropology of buying — Kat finally named her last offer. Five minutes before the recording. By accident. Because she stopped trying to control it.

The courage to be weird (and why most people don't have it)
Rebecca drops the truth bomb: we all want to be Weird Al, but we're waiting for proof of concept before we're brave. The artists who make it? They knew the proof would come after the bravery. 

Tarot cards as a business strategy (no really)
In January, Kat's daughter threw all her tarot cards on the floor. Eleven cards face-up. Eleven months ahead. One card per month to set the vibe for her business decisions ever since — and it's been the most successful strategic decision she's made in years.
 

Offers mentioned

Queens of Coin — Behavioral pricing diagnostic using the PPP framework (Primed, Priced, Positioned). Examines what your pricing is communicating emotionally, mathematically, and perceptually. [$997] → themainstage.ca/services

Reality Check — Energy and capacity planning. Are you writing checks your business can't cash? Internal offer focused on making your offers work for you. Coming summer 2026.

Lip Service — Brand perception diagnostic. Is what you think you're communicating actually landing on the other end? External offer examining price anchoring, buyer psychology, and whether your ideal client would realistically pay what you're asking. Coming summer 2026.

Featured guest appearance

Rebecca Gunter (stonefruit.com) — Kat's ride-or-die of 5 years, co-founder of Stoned Fruit positioning and messaging agency, and co-host of  Brandthropology newsletter on LinkedIn. Rebecca's the one who named the whole thing because that bish always knows before I do: "You're into people having the courage to be weird."

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 1 May 2026 04:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (Rebecca Gunter) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s3e1-9LEGLPWK You'll hear about

The $300 decision that turned into a whole business epiphany
Kat went to a Prof concert in Montreal, had an existential crisis about why she was obsessed with a bald white guy who humps the air, and ended up doing a full psychological breakdown of her own buying behavior. The result? A clearer understanding of what actually drives purchase decisions — and why emotional environments matter more than perfect offers.

Why people rally around weird
The Prof concert wasn't full of people who looked the same. Face tattoos, little kids, ten-foot giants — all there for the same reason: proof of concept that you can be strange as fuck and still move people. Kat breaks down what that magnetism actually is and why we're all searching for it.

Leaving ops behind (for real this time)
After a year of self-directed curriculum in Emotional Economics — the psychology, sociology, and anthropology of buying — Kat finally named her last offer. Five minutes before the recording. By accident. Because she stopped trying to control it.

The courage to be weird (and why most people don't have it)
Rebecca drops the truth bomb: we all want to be Weird Al, but we're waiting for proof of concept before we're brave. The artists who make it? They knew the proof would come after the bravery. 

Tarot cards as a business strategy (no really)
In January, Kat's daughter threw all her tarot cards on the floor. Eleven cards face-up. Eleven months ahead. One card per month to set the vibe for her business decisions ever since — and it's been the most successful strategic decision she's made in years.
 

Offers mentioned

Queens of Coin — Behavioral pricing diagnostic using the PPP framework (Primed, Priced, Positioned). Examines what your pricing is communicating emotionally, mathematically, and perceptually. [$997] → themainstage.ca/services

Reality Check — Energy and capacity planning. Are you writing checks your business can't cash? Internal offer focused on making your offers work for you. Coming summer 2026.

Lip Service — Brand perception diagnostic. Is what you think you're communicating actually landing on the other end? External offer examining price anchoring, buyer psychology, and whether your ideal client would realistically pay what you're asking. Coming summer 2026.

Featured guest appearance

Rebecca Gunter (stonefruit.com) — Kat's ride-or-die of 5 years, co-founder of Stoned Fruit positioning and messaging agency, and co-host of  Brandthropology newsletter on LinkedIn. Rebecca's the one who named the whole thing because that bish always knows before I do: "You're into people having the courage to be weird."

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Proof Comes After Bravery Rebecca Gunter 00:35:50 Why we're all waiting for proof of concept before we get brave — and why that's fucking backwards. Kat's back after nine months, and she's coming in hot: you can't wait for pErMiSIoN to be weird. The proof of concept comes after bravery, not before it. And if you're sanding down your edges to avoid judgment, you're not making yourself more hireable — you're making yourself forgettable. This episode is part confession, part strategic breakdown, part "wait did she just say she's taking business cues from tarot cards?" (Yes. She did. And it's working.) Why we're all waiting for proof of concept before we get brave — and why that's fucking backwards. Kat's back after nine months, and she's coming in hot: you can't wait for pErMiSIoN to be weird. The proof of concept comes after bravery, not before it. And if you're sanding down your edges to avoid judgment, you're not making yourself more hireable — you're making yourself forgettable. This episode is part confession, part strategic breakdown, part "wait did she just say she's taking business cues from tarot cards?" (Yes. She did. And it's working.) pricing psychology, business strategy, brand perception, brand positioning, authenticity, pricing strategy, marketing psychology, online business, emotional economics, tarot and business, weird marketing, proof of concept, creative entrepreneurs, courage in business, buyer psychology true full 26 d4ab9200-85e9-4388-a925-bb62a5a5a8f5 Hustle vs. Soft Life: Why Both Are Lying to You Hustle culture says: grind ‘til you make it.
Soft life marketing says: rest is the reward.

But what if neither is the full story?

In this episode, I open up about my own extremes — hustling myself into collapse, and then floating in a “soft” bubble that didn’t feel like real life. Both left me stuck. 

What actually worked? The messy middle: building a business that’s sustainable, human, and true to me.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

  • Why hustle without direction is pointless.
  • The trap of treating rest like something you have to “earn.”
  • What softness actually looks like when it fits real life, not Instagram.
  • Why neither extreme will give you the business you want.
  • A simple reflection to help you define what hustle + ease mean for you.


Subscribe to Love Letters to Future You is my weekly(ish) note packed with stories, hot takes, and gentle strategy — so you can grow a business that actually feels like yours.? 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s2e4-Nc5c79Nd Hustle culture says: grind ‘til you make it.
Soft life marketing says: rest is the reward.

But what if neither is the full story?

In this episode, I open up about my own extremes — hustling myself into collapse, and then floating in a “soft” bubble that didn’t feel like real life. Both left me stuck. 

What actually worked? The messy middle: building a business that’s sustainable, human, and true to me.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

  • Why hustle without direction is pointless.
  • The trap of treating rest like something you have to “earn.”
  • What softness actually looks like when it fits real life, not Instagram.
  • Why neither extreme will give you the business you want.
  • A simple reflection to help you define what hustle + ease mean for you.


Subscribe to Love Letters to Future You is my weekly(ish) note packed with stories, hot takes, and gentle strategy — so you can grow a business that actually feels like yours.? 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Hustle vs. Soft Life: Why Both Are Lying to You The Main Stage 00:16:29 We’ve been sold two extremes: hustle until you burn out, or float through the “soft girl era” once you’ve “earned” it. But neither tells the whole story. In this episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, I unpack the half-truths both hustle culture and soft life marketing feed us, why neither extreme works, and how to find the messy middle where ease and effort actually support your life and business. We’ve been sold two extremes: hustle until you burn out, or float through the “soft girl era” once you’ve “earned” it. But neither tells the whole story. In this episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, I unpack the half-truths both hustle culture and soft life marketing feed us, why neither extreme works, and how to find the messy middle where ease and effort actually support your life and business. rebuilding after burnout, work life balance, productivity tips, ease in business, sustainable business strategy, soft girl era, hustle culture, messy middle, rest and productivity, entrepreneurship mindset, business strategy, soft life, ethical business, self employment, intentional growth, business without burnout, small business growth, slow business movement, permission to rest, pricing strategy, redefining success, capacity planning, aligned business, capacity-first strategy, clarity in business, anti hustle, sustainable business, burnout recovery, boundaries in business, creative entrepreneurs true full 25 342a695c-2f92-41da-a2c9-da88ecfce2eb 3 Shifts I Wish I’d Made Sooner Hey hey, I’m Kathleen Stewart—your host and resident weirdo. Welcome back to The Digital Junk Drawer—the podcast for creative service providers who are building businesses that actually work for their brains.

This episode is for anyone who’s looked around at their life and thought, “I have everything I wanted… so why don’t I feel okay?” I’m taking you inside my own moment of reckoning—the night I realized I’d built all the external safety I thought I needed, but none of the internal safety I actually craved.

You’ll hear the three changes I made that shifted everything: building business rhythms that match my energy, setting unapologetic boundaries on my time, and learning to be okay with being misunderstood.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why hitting your income goals doesn’t guarantee you’ll feel secure
  • How to build supportive business rhythms based on your actual energy
  • The role boundaries play in both protecting your capacity and increasing your peace of mind
  • Why being misunderstood can be a sign you’re finally showing up fully as yourself
  • A tiny action you can take this week to protect your time, energy, or truth

     

Want to Build a Business That Protects You as Much as You Protect It?
✨ Inside Queens of Coin, I walk you through creating capacity-first pricing, boundaries that stick, and a business model that supports you—not just your clients. Learn more: themainstage.ca/services
 

Let’s Chat
What’s one thing you could change this week to protect your energy, time, or truth?
DM me on IG @themainstage.ca or find me in the chaos on Threads.
 

Loved This Episode?
Send it to a biz bestie. Leave a review. Share it on Threads. Let’s help more creative weirdos build unfuckwithable businesses.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s2e3-0sMbS0Pn Hey hey, I’m Kathleen Stewart—your host and resident weirdo. Welcome back to The Digital Junk Drawer—the podcast for creative service providers who are building businesses that actually work for their brains.

This episode is for anyone who’s looked around at their life and thought, “I have everything I wanted… so why don’t I feel okay?” I’m taking you inside my own moment of reckoning—the night I realized I’d built all the external safety I thought I needed, but none of the internal safety I actually craved.

You’ll hear the three changes I made that shifted everything: building business rhythms that match my energy, setting unapologetic boundaries on my time, and learning to be okay with being misunderstood.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why hitting your income goals doesn’t guarantee you’ll feel secure
  • How to build supportive business rhythms based on your actual energy
  • The role boundaries play in both protecting your capacity and increasing your peace of mind
  • Why being misunderstood can be a sign you’re finally showing up fully as yourself
  • A tiny action you can take this week to protect your time, energy, or truth

     

Want to Build a Business That Protects You as Much as You Protect It?
✨ Inside Queens of Coin, I walk you through creating capacity-first pricing, boundaries that stick, and a business model that supports you—not just your clients. Learn more: themainstage.ca/services
 

Let’s Chat
What’s one thing you could change this week to protect your energy, time, or truth?
DM me on IG @themainstage.ca or find me in the chaos on Threads.
 

Loved This Episode?
Send it to a biz bestie. Leave a review. Share it on Threads. Let’s help more creative weirdos build unfuckwithable businesses.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> 3 Shifts I Wish I’d Made Sooner The Main Stage 00:10:38 What happens when you hit every milestone you thought would make you feel safe… and you still feel behind? In this episode, I share the night I realized external success doesn’t guarantee internal peace—and the three shifts that finally made my business feel safe from the inside out. We’re talking supportive rhythms, rock-solid boundaries, and the radical freedom of letting yourself be misunderstood. What happens when you hit every milestone you thought would make you feel safe… and you still feel behind? In this episode, I share the night I realized external success doesn’t guarantee internal peace—and the three shifts that finally made my business feel safe from the inside out. We’re talking supportive rhythms, rock-solid boundaries, and the radical freedom of letting yourself be misunderstood. protecting your time, being misunderstood in business, neurodivergent business strategy, burnout prevention for creatives, business boundaries, creative entrepreneur burnout, luxury client experience, supportive business rhythms, creative business sustainability, external success, pricing for capacity, capacity-first business model, sustainable business growth, internal safety, business alignment true full 24 96c40889-57da-48d3-8434-9bfbf5f49273 The Emotional Cost of Work That Doesn’t Fit Anymore There’s a kind of burnout that doesn’t come from doing too much—it comes from doing the wrong things for too long.

In this episode, I talk about the emotional toll of staying in offers, systems, and client relationships that no longer fit. This isn’t about mindset. It’s about misalignment—and the quiet cost it takes on your energy, your self-trust, and your business.


What I cover:

Subtle signs your offer is burning you out (even if it “makes sense” on paper)

The difference between hard work and emotional labor

How misalignment can show up as avoidance, resentment, or exhaustion

Why “just raise your rates” isn’t always the right move

A tiny but powerful audit you can do today to start recalibrating


Listen in if:

You’re emotionally tapped but still showing up out of obligation

You’ve outgrown an offer but haven’t figured out what’s next

You’re scared to change things because it used to work

You need someone to say, “Hey—it’s okay to shift”


Want support?

Queens of Coin is my 48-hour pricing recalibration audit for when the numbers don’t reflect your capacity, clarity, or value anymore. It’s not just pricing—it’s positioning, energy, and breathing room.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 8 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s2e2-MgIKXbPe There’s a kind of burnout that doesn’t come from doing too much—it comes from doing the wrong things for too long.

In this episode, I talk about the emotional toll of staying in offers, systems, and client relationships that no longer fit. This isn’t about mindset. It’s about misalignment—and the quiet cost it takes on your energy, your self-trust, and your business.


What I cover:

Subtle signs your offer is burning you out (even if it “makes sense” on paper)

The difference between hard work and emotional labor

How misalignment can show up as avoidance, resentment, or exhaustion

Why “just raise your rates” isn’t always the right move

A tiny but powerful audit you can do today to start recalibrating


Listen in if:

You’re emotionally tapped but still showing up out of obligation

You’ve outgrown an offer but haven’t figured out what’s next

You’re scared to change things because it used to work

You need someone to say, “Hey—it’s okay to shift”


Want support?

Queens of Coin is my 48-hour pricing recalibration audit for when the numbers don’t reflect your capacity, clarity, or value anymore. It’s not just pricing—it’s positioning, energy, and breathing room.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> The Emotional Cost of Work That Doesn’t Fit Anymore The Main Stage 00:16:00 I had a completely different topic planned for this week. But then I got off a call with a client who ended the session in tears—and honestly? I cried too. This episode is raw, real, and freshly recorded after a heart-wrenching moment with a white-label client who’s so good at what she does… and still feels like she’s failing. This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the emotional cost of work that doesn’t fit anymore. If you’re dreading your projects, overdelivering just to feel ethical, or blaming yourself for burnout—this one’s for you. I had a completely different topic planned for this week. But then I got off a call with a client who ended the session in tears—and honestly? I cried too. This episode is raw, real, and freshly recorded after a heart-wrenching moment with a white-label client who’s so good at what she does… and still feels like she’s failing. This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the emotional cost of work that doesn’t fit anymore. If you’re dreading your projects, overdelivering just to feel ethical, or blaming yourself for burnout—this one’s for you. adhd business, undercharging, business boundaries, burnout, scope creep, emotional labor, kathleen stewart, offer audit, pricing strategy, pricing clarity, entrepreneurial overwhelm, creative entrepreneurs, digital junk drawer, queens of coin true full 23 f10e4422-7337-483a-9347-18b196d92e9c Fix the Math, Not Mindset. Hey hey, I’m Kathleen Stewart—your host, your favorite capacity witch, and the voice behind The Digital Junk Drawer. This is the podcast for creative service providers building businesses that don’t burn them out.

In this episode, we’re digging deep into pricing—why your self-doubt might not be the problem, and why confidence culture is keeping you from the real fix.

I’m walking you through my own story of undercharging (hello, $20k transformation for pennies) and what finally clicked: your confidence can’t carry a broken business model. You need structure that supports your actual life—not just what you think you should be able to handle.

We’ll break down:

Clarity: What are you really selling, and does your pricing reflect the transformation?

Capacity: How much can you actually hold, and are your rates protecting that?

Communication: What is your pricing saying—and is it true?

I’ll also give you a mini audit to do right now, so you can gut-check your most popular offer and make sure it still fits.

Want to Price Like It Matters?

If your offers feel off and you’re ready for pricing that actually reflects your work, your energy, and your value—check out Queens of Coin. You’ll walk away with a pricing system that’s rooted in strategy, not shame.

Come say hi on Threads @TheMainStage.ca or DM me what your pricing is saying that you didn’t mean for it to say.

And hey—if this episode hit something true, send it to a biz bestie and leave a review. Let’s get this pricing clarity into more ears.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 1 Aug 2025 13:24:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/fix-the-math-not-mindset-2UhRJIrt Hey hey, I’m Kathleen Stewart—your host, your favorite capacity witch, and the voice behind The Digital Junk Drawer. This is the podcast for creative service providers building businesses that don’t burn them out.

In this episode, we’re digging deep into pricing—why your self-doubt might not be the problem, and why confidence culture is keeping you from the real fix.

I’m walking you through my own story of undercharging (hello, $20k transformation for pennies) and what finally clicked: your confidence can’t carry a broken business model. You need structure that supports your actual life—not just what you think you should be able to handle.

We’ll break down:

Clarity: What are you really selling, and does your pricing reflect the transformation?

Capacity: How much can you actually hold, and are your rates protecting that?

Communication: What is your pricing saying—and is it true?

I’ll also give you a mini audit to do right now, so you can gut-check your most popular offer and make sure it still fits.

Want to Price Like It Matters?

If your offers feel off and you’re ready for pricing that actually reflects your work, your energy, and your value—check out Queens of Coin. You’ll walk away with a pricing system that’s rooted in strategy, not shame.

Come say hi on Threads @TheMainStage.ca or DM me what your pricing is saying that you didn’t mean for it to say.

And hey—if this episode hit something true, send it to a biz bestie and leave a review. Let’s get this pricing clarity into more ears.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fix the Math, Not Mindset. The Main Stage 00:13:45 Everyone says pricing is about confidence—but what if it’s not? In this episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, we’re unpacking why confidence is just the decoy. Because when your pricing feels off, it’s usually not about self-worth—it’s about misalignment. If you’ve been tweaking your mindset but still feeling stuck, this episode offers a different path: one rooted in structure, sustainability, and actual strategy. Everyone says pricing is about confidence—but what if it’s not? In this episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, we’re unpacking why confidence is just the decoy. Because when your pricing feels off, it’s usually not about self-worth—it’s about misalignment. If you’ve been tweaking your mindset but still feeling stuck, this episode offers a different path: one rooted in structure, sustainability, and actual strategy. sustainable pricing model, ethical pricing strategies, how to price client work, undercharging clients, confidence vs clarity in pricing, value-based pricing, burnout business model, creative entrepreneur pricing, how to price services, pricing strategy, charge your worth myth, service provider pricing tips, business model alignment, burnout and pricing, pricing mistakes to avoid, why clients ghost, pricing for capacity, offer pricing audit, creative business pricing true full 22 b617b7fd-4c0d-4f63-899c-ee80f5ad7279 Dream Clients Saying No? Let’s Talk About Why This episode is all about unpacking the emotional side of objections. Spoiler: it’s not about your price or how many modules your program has. It’s about whether someone feels safe becoming the version of themselves your offer asks them to be. Big identity shift energy.

We’re talking nervous system regulation, why “maybe later” usually means “I’m scared shitless,” and how to make your offer feel easier to walk toward—without fake urgency, guilt trips, or slashing your rates just to get the sale.

If you’ve ever spiraled after a great sales convo turned into a polite pass, or if you’ve been the one saying no to something you secretly want—this one’s got your name on it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
🧠 The 3 emotional drivers behind most sales objections
😬 Why even your dream clients might hesitate—and what’s really going on
💸 How to stop over-explaining or discounting just to get a yes
🪩 How to sell with emotional safety instead of pressure
👀 What “I need to think about it” is actually code for (and how to respond without losing your cool)

Links and Resources Mentioned
🌐 Buy my Audit at TheMainStage.ca/services
📱 Or yell into the void with me on Threads: @TheMainStage.ca

If this one hit home, send it to your biz bestie who keeps wondering why people aren’t buying that thing that could change everything. They’re not doing it wrong—they just need to speak to the version of their client that’s still becoming.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 16 May 2025 12:54:47 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (Kathleen Stewart) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e20-xamPhc9i This episode is all about unpacking the emotional side of objections. Spoiler: it’s not about your price or how many modules your program has. It’s about whether someone feels safe becoming the version of themselves your offer asks them to be. Big identity shift energy.

We’re talking nervous system regulation, why “maybe later” usually means “I’m scared shitless,” and how to make your offer feel easier to walk toward—without fake urgency, guilt trips, or slashing your rates just to get the sale.

If you’ve ever spiraled after a great sales convo turned into a polite pass, or if you’ve been the one saying no to something you secretly want—this one’s got your name on it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode
🧠 The 3 emotional drivers behind most sales objections
😬 Why even your dream clients might hesitate—and what’s really going on
💸 How to stop over-explaining or discounting just to get a yes
🪩 How to sell with emotional safety instead of pressure
👀 What “I need to think about it” is actually code for (and how to respond without losing your cool)

Links and Resources Mentioned
🌐 Buy my Audit at TheMainStage.ca/services
📱 Or yell into the void with me on Threads: @TheMainStage.ca

If this one hit home, send it to your biz bestie who keeps wondering why people aren’t buying that thing that could change everything. They’re not doing it wrong—they just need to speak to the version of their client that’s still becoming.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Dream Clients Saying No? Let’s Talk About Why Kathleen Stewart 00:17:52 Ever walk away from a sales call like, WTF just happened? Yeah, same. In this episode, we’re getting into the real reasons people say “no”—and spoiler alert: it’s rarely about the price. It’s about identity, fear, timing, and whether their nervous system feels safe AF saying yes. I’m breaking down why your offer might be perfect on paper but still get ghosted, how to actually support someone through hesitation (without being pushy), and why urgency tactics can seriously fuck with trust. If you’re spiralling every time a client says “I’ll think about it,” this one will help you stop taking it personally—and start making your offer easier to walk toward Ever walk away from a sales call like, WTF just happened? Yeah, same. In this episode, we’re getting into the real reasons people say “no”—and spoiler alert: it’s rarely about the price. It’s about identity, fear, timing, and whether their nervous system feels safe AF saying yes. I’m breaking down why your offer might be perfect on paper but still get ghosted, how to actually support someone through hesitation (without being pushy), and why urgency tactics can seriously fuck with trust. If you’re spiralling every time a client says “I’ll think about it,” this one will help you stop taking it personally—and start making your offer easier to walk toward sales psychology, emotional objections, creative entrepreneur tips, nervous system business, capacity-first strategy, selling without pressure, offer refinement, boundaries in business, ethical selling, pricing mindset true full 20 c4c8eb76-26d8-4633-9582-4ae0aee6bb33 Canceled the Offer Everyone Expected—After a Capacity-First Pricing Audit Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and honest strategy.

Today, we’re talking about burning it all down—intentionally. I’m walking you through how I made the decision to cancel Ink to Income (my group program), why the numbers looked good but the energy didn’t, and how my own audit helped me finally see what I’d been avoiding.

Here’s what I share:

The personal story behind canceling my program—even after a major launch plan

How market misfit and capacity misalignment were hiding in plain sight

Why I built a group offer I didn’t even like (and who I was trying to prove myself to)

What tarot cards, a psychic, and an IG scroll had to do with this entire decision

The exact moment I decided to walk away—and how I knew it was the right call

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

💡 How a pricing audit can expose energetic and strategic misalignment
💡 Why we build offers we don’t even like—and how to stop doing it
💡 The power of walking away from something that “makes sense” but doesn’t feel right
💡 What your market fit, pricing signals, and support model are really telling your audience
💡 Why building from a place of ego or expectation leads to resentment (fast)

Tiny Stepper of the Day

Here’s your one small action for today:

Take five minutes to look at your offer suite and ask yourself:

Which of these offers feels heavy?

Which ones feel like mine—and which were built to match someone else’s idea of success?

Where am I ignoring the signals my business (or body) is giving me?

Then: get honest. Your next step might not be burning it all down—but it might be letting one piece go.

Links and Resources Mentioned

🔗 TheMainStage.ca/services – Want a pricing audit that actually makes sense? Get the Capacity-First Pricing Method.
🔗 Follow Me on Threads – Come find me for behind-the-scenes chaos and clarity: @TheMainStage.ca

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 9 May 2025 06:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e19-M9SujmKb Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and honest strategy.

Today, we’re talking about burning it all down—intentionally. I’m walking you through how I made the decision to cancel Ink to Income (my group program), why the numbers looked good but the energy didn’t, and how my own audit helped me finally see what I’d been avoiding.

Here’s what I share:

The personal story behind canceling my program—even after a major launch plan

How market misfit and capacity misalignment were hiding in plain sight

Why I built a group offer I didn’t even like (and who I was trying to prove myself to)

What tarot cards, a psychic, and an IG scroll had to do with this entire decision

The exact moment I decided to walk away—and how I knew it was the right call

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

💡 How a pricing audit can expose energetic and strategic misalignment
💡 Why we build offers we don’t even like—and how to stop doing it
💡 The power of walking away from something that “makes sense” but doesn’t feel right
💡 What your market fit, pricing signals, and support model are really telling your audience
💡 Why building from a place of ego or expectation leads to resentment (fast)

Tiny Stepper of the Day

Here’s your one small action for today:

Take five minutes to look at your offer suite and ask yourself:

Which of these offers feels heavy?

Which ones feel like mine—and which were built to match someone else’s idea of success?

Where am I ignoring the signals my business (or body) is giving me?

Then: get honest. Your next step might not be burning it all down—but it might be letting one piece go.

Links and Resources Mentioned

🔗 TheMainStage.ca/services – Want a pricing audit that actually makes sense? Get the Capacity-First Pricing Method.
🔗 Follow Me on Threads – Come find me for behind-the-scenes chaos and clarity: @TheMainStage.ca

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Canceled the Offer Everyone Expected—After a Capacity-First Pricing Audit The Main Stage 00:17:15 I give y'all a little peek-a-boo behind-the-scenes truth of canceling a group program I spent months building—and how a self-led pricing audit gave me the clarity (and permission) to shut it all down. In this episode, I break down what my Capacity-First Pricing Method revealed about Ink to Income, why my offers felt off, and the sneaky sneakerson way I was ignoring everything my body, brain, and tarot cards were trying to tell me. If you’ve ever built an offer that looks good online but feels totally wrong—you probs need to hear this. I give y'all a little peek-a-boo behind-the-scenes truth of canceling a group program I spent months building—and how a self-led pricing audit gave me the clarity (and permission) to shut it all down. In this episode, I break down what my Capacity-First Pricing Method revealed about Ink to Income, why my offers felt off, and the sneaky sneakerson way I was ignoring everything my body, brain, and tarot cards were trying to tell me. If you’ve ever built an offer that looks good online but feels totally wrong—you probs need to hear this. market fit, building sustainable offers, canceling offers, pricing strategy, online business decisions, group program launch, creative business alignment, capacity-based pricing, burnout recovery, energetic alignment in business true full 19 3bed91c8-3e62-4ff1-9a00-5c7b52ee719b BS-Free Business in a BS-Filled World w/ Maggie Patterson This one’s for the entrepreneurs who’ve been burned by bro marketing, sick of spiritual scams, and done with "boss babe" energy.

Maggie (she/her) is the founder of BS-Free Business, co-host of the Duped podcast, and author of Staying Solo. She’s a 20-year business veteran who has seen the inside of $50k masterminds, watched the online coaching boom turn culty, and lived to tell the tale—with a spreadsheet in one hand and a middle finger in the other.

We talked about:
🧩 Why income claims are a scammy tactic
🧮 The danger of angel number pricing and fake math
🛑 Why ethical marketing means not coercing people into debt
📉 How online business is just MLMs, cults, and self-help in a trench coat
🤯 The myth of six-figure months and what people are actually making
🛠️ Why solid delivery and boring systems are the new flex
🧘 The power of staying small, staying paid, and sleeping well at night

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✔️ Why “scaling” isn’t mandatory (or always ethical)
✔️ How to tell if you’re pricing with integrity—or just copying shady coaches
✔️ What a real solo business looks like (and why 80% of businesses are solo)
✔️ The difference between a culty brand and a community-driven one
✔️ Why referral-based businesses can work—and how to make them sustainable
✔️ How to build a business that actually pays you, feels good, and doesn’t implode

Ready to stop drinking the digital Kool-Aid and build something honest, sustainable, and actually yours?
👉 Hit play, then grab Maggie’s Reverse Salary Calculator at bsfreebusiness.com/kit
📖 And pick up her book Staying Solo at stayingsolobook.com

 

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 2 May 2025 15:08:26 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (Maggie Patterson) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e18-cL7k_VQ3 This one’s for the entrepreneurs who’ve been burned by bro marketing, sick of spiritual scams, and done with "boss babe" energy.

Maggie (she/her) is the founder of BS-Free Business, co-host of the Duped podcast, and author of Staying Solo. She’s a 20-year business veteran who has seen the inside of $50k masterminds, watched the online coaching boom turn culty, and lived to tell the tale—with a spreadsheet in one hand and a middle finger in the other.

We talked about:
🧩 Why income claims are a scammy tactic
🧮 The danger of angel number pricing and fake math
🛑 Why ethical marketing means not coercing people into debt
📉 How online business is just MLMs, cults, and self-help in a trench coat
🤯 The myth of six-figure months and what people are actually making
🛠️ Why solid delivery and boring systems are the new flex
🧘 The power of staying small, staying paid, and sleeping well at night

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✔️ Why “scaling” isn’t mandatory (or always ethical)
✔️ How to tell if you’re pricing with integrity—or just copying shady coaches
✔️ What a real solo business looks like (and why 80% of businesses are solo)
✔️ The difference between a culty brand and a community-driven one
✔️ Why referral-based businesses can work—and how to make them sustainable
✔️ How to build a business that actually pays you, feels good, and doesn’t implode

Ready to stop drinking the digital Kool-Aid and build something honest, sustainable, and actually yours?
👉 Hit play, then grab Maggie’s Reverse Salary Calculator at bsfreebusiness.com/kit
📖 And pick up her book Staying Solo at stayingsolobook.com

 

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> BS-Free Business in a BS-Filled World w/ Maggie Patterson Maggie Patterson 00:58:49 Ever met someone online and immediately thought, “Finally—someone’s saying what we’re all thinking”? That’s Maggie Patterson: writer, podcaster, BS-buster, and founder of BS-Free Business. In this week’s episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, Maggie joins me for a no-holds-barred conversation on ethical business, pricing manipulation, and why the online business world is more culty than most people realize. She’s been in the game for 20 years, seen the shady marketing tactics up close, and built a sustainable, boring-on-purpose business that actually pays her. If you’ve ever felt gaslit by girlboss culture, manipulated by fake six-figure claims, or just tired of the grind-for-visibility hamster wheel, this conversation is your exit ramp. We talked about the cost of doing business with integrity, the real math behind “scaling,” and why staying solo might just be the most rebellious move of all. Ever met someone online and immediately thought, “Finally—someone’s saying what we’re all thinking”? That’s Maggie Patterson: writer, podcaster, BS-buster, and founder of BS-Free Business. In this week’s episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, Maggie joins me for a no-holds-barred conversation on ethical business, pricing manipulation, and why the online business world is more culty than most people realize. She’s been in the game for 20 years, seen the shady marketing tactics up close, and built a sustainable, boring-on-purpose business that actually pays her. If you’ve ever felt gaslit by girlboss culture, manipulated by fake six-figure claims, or just tired of the grind-for-visibility hamster wheel, this conversation is your exit ramp. We talked about the cost of doing business with integrity, the real math behind “scaling,” and why staying solo might just be the most rebellious move of all. online entrepreneurship, angel number pricing, maggie patterson, internet marketing, culty coaches, marketing manipulation, burnout, parasocial relationships, online coaching, income claim marketing, revenue goals, service providers, boring business, scaling myths, duped podcast, brand integrity, feminist business, ethical marketing, client delivery, scam culture, women in business, pricing strategy, entrepreneurship myths, micro business, digital cults, business books, client experience, capacity planning, bs-free business, coaching industry, solo business, online business scams, digital marketing, sustainable business, referral-based business, business transparency, staying solo, anti-hustle, reverse salary calculator, business ethics true full 18 42f3d787-7543-45ae-b27d-fe707dec80e2 Unmasking Your Brand: Build a Cult-Like Following w/ Kim of Oinopo This episode is for anyone who’s been told to shrink themselves to be taken seriously.

Kim (they/them) is a queer, neurodivergent brand strategist and designer who helps creatives rip the mask off, own their weird, and build cult-following brands rooted in truth, identity, and a whole lotta “I can’t look away” energy.

If I wasn’t aggressively straight, I’d be writing fanfic about them. But I’ll settle for being a loyal member of their online cult. Kim has that rare gift of making you feel seen and bolder for showing up. This convo? It’s the brand therapy session you didn’t know you needed—but will be thinking about for days.

We talked about: 
🌀 Why branding should feel like becoming—not branding
🎭 What it’s like to grow up weird and turn that into your business superpower
🛑 The dangers of being “professional” online
🚪 Why you should build a brand people want to knock down the door to join
✨ And what it really means to build a “cult of you” (spoiler: it’s soft, ethical, & fabulous)

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

✔️ Why you should be “too much” (and do it on purpose)
✔️ How to turn your identity into brand strategy
✔️ Kim’s origin story from post-COVID burnout to building a business that’s booked TF out
✔️ How to build a cult following with care, consent, and character
✔️ The difference between a brand that performs and a brand that feels like home
✔️ What happens when you stop editing yourself and start showing the hell up
 

If You’re Ready to Unmask and Unleash—This One’s for You.

🎧 Hit play and then hit me in the DMs with your fav line—I have 27 already tattooed on my heart.

Links + Love

🧃 Follow Kim at @ oinopo.com
🧃 Drink their newsletter. Devour their offers. Just go fall in love: oinopo.kit.com/newsletter
🧃  https://oinopo.notion.site/Microbrandism-The-Cult-Clarity-Guide-19ff9ae2edc4801ca189e8b76aa0c479?pvs=4



 

 

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 18 Apr 2025 15:05:35 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (personal branding, neurodivergent entrepreneur, queer brand strategist, cult brand building, brand identity, brand unmasking, creative business podcast, community-driven branding, ethical branding, inclusive brand strategy, weird branding, building a brand that feels like you, branding for creatives, creative entrepreneur podcast, Oinopo.com) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e17-Ce5OZILT This episode is for anyone who’s been told to shrink themselves to be taken seriously.

Kim (they/them) is a queer, neurodivergent brand strategist and designer who helps creatives rip the mask off, own their weird, and build cult-following brands rooted in truth, identity, and a whole lotta “I can’t look away” energy.

If I wasn’t aggressively straight, I’d be writing fanfic about them. But I’ll settle for being a loyal member of their online cult. Kim has that rare gift of making you feel seen and bolder for showing up. This convo? It’s the brand therapy session you didn’t know you needed—but will be thinking about for days.

We talked about: 
🌀 Why branding should feel like becoming—not branding
🎭 What it’s like to grow up weird and turn that into your business superpower
🛑 The dangers of being “professional” online
🚪 Why you should build a brand people want to knock down the door to join
✨ And what it really means to build a “cult of you” (spoiler: it’s soft, ethical, & fabulous)

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

✔️ Why you should be “too much” (and do it on purpose)
✔️ How to turn your identity into brand strategy
✔️ Kim’s origin story from post-COVID burnout to building a business that’s booked TF out
✔️ How to build a cult following with care, consent, and character
✔️ The difference between a brand that performs and a brand that feels like home
✔️ What happens when you stop editing yourself and start showing the hell up
 

If You’re Ready to Unmask and Unleash—This One’s for You.

🎧 Hit play and then hit me in the DMs with your fav line—I have 27 already tattooed on my heart.

Links + Love

🧃 Follow Kim at @ oinopo.com
🧃 Drink their newsletter. Devour their offers. Just go fall in love: oinopo.kit.com/newsletter
🧃  https://oinopo.notion.site/Microbrandism-The-Cult-Clarity-Guide-19ff9ae2edc4801ca189e8b76aa0c479?pvs=4



 

 

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Unmasking Your Brand: Build a Cult-Like Following w/ Kim of Oinopo personal branding, neurodivergent entrepreneur, queer brand strategist, cult brand building, brand identity, brand unmasking, creative business podcast, community-driven branding, ethical branding, inclusive brand strategy, weird branding, building a brand that feels like you, branding for creatives, creative entrepreneur podcast, Oinopo.com 00:53:34 Ever met someone online and immediately knew: “Yep. I’d join your cult”? In this week’s episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, I’m joined by my internet obsession and branding cult leader—Kim from Oinopo . And yes, I would drink the Kool-Aid. Happily. Twice. Kim is building the kind of brand that makes people feel something—and if you’ve ever felt like your business doesn’t fully reflect your weird, wild, beautiful brain, this convo will crack you wide open (in the best way). We talked about being polarizing on purpose, turning your brand into a safe space, and why “toning it down” is the fastest way to lose the people who were already looking for you. This one’s not just juicy—it’s deeply unhinged and deeply honest. I laughed. I screamed. I grew three new brand archetypes just from absorbing Kim’s energy. Ever met someone online and immediately knew: “Yep. I’d join your cult”? In this week’s episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, I’m joined by my internet obsession and branding cult leader—Kim from Oinopo . And yes, I would drink the Kool-Aid. Happily. Twice. Kim is building the kind of brand that makes people feel something—and if you’ve ever felt like your business doesn’t fully reflect your weird, wild, beautiful brain, this convo will crack you wide open (in the best way). We talked about being polarizing on purpose, turning your brand into a safe space, and why “toning it down” is the fastest way to lose the people who were already looking for you. This one’s not just juicy—it’s deeply unhinged and deeply honest. I laughed. I screamed. I grew three new brand archetypes just from absorbing Kim’s energy. true full 17 e63a4dcc-567d-43a7-8a71-e25b95b1a1aa You’re Not Bad at Business—Your Workflow Just Wasn’t Built for You Hey hey, I’m Kathleen Stewart—your host and resident weirdo. Welcome back to The Digital Junk Drawer—the podcast for creative service providers who are building businesses that actually work for their brains.

In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to create systems that flex with your energy instead of forcing you into a “one-size-fits-none” framework. Spoiler alert: you’re not bad at business—you’ve just been trying to use systems that were never designed for you.

We’ll break down my own flexible process, why it works for neurodivergent creatives, and how you can adapt it to support your workflow and capacity.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why rigid systems and step-by-step frameworks fail creative and neurodivergent entrepreneurs

The real reason you’ve abandoned every planner, template, and productivity hack (spoiler: it’s not a discipline issue)

How to create structure that flexes with your energy, brain, and workflow

Simple strategies to reduce overwhelm—like buffer days, batching, and mixing analog with digital tools

How to stop fighting your natural work rhythm and start designing processes you’ll actually use

Want to Ditch Rigid Systems Forever?

✨ Inside Ink to Income, we design luxury-level client experiences for creatives who crave flexibility, not hustle. You’ll learn how to create workflows that serve your clients and support your energy. Join the movement: themainstage.ca/inktoincome

Let’s Chat

What’s one rule in your business that needs to bend (or break)?
DM me on IG @themainstage.ca or find me in the chaos on Threads.

Loved This Episode?

Send it to a biz bestie. Leave a review. Share it on Threads. Let’s help more creative weirdos build unfuckwithable businesses.

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 11 Apr 2025 04:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (themainstage.ca, Kathleen Stewart) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e16-m41UaRXy Hey hey, I’m Kathleen Stewart—your host and resident weirdo. Welcome back to The Digital Junk Drawer—the podcast for creative service providers who are building businesses that actually work for their brains.

In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to create systems that flex with your energy instead of forcing you into a “one-size-fits-none” framework. Spoiler alert: you’re not bad at business—you’ve just been trying to use systems that were never designed for you.

We’ll break down my own flexible process, why it works for neurodivergent creatives, and how you can adapt it to support your workflow and capacity.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why rigid systems and step-by-step frameworks fail creative and neurodivergent entrepreneurs

The real reason you’ve abandoned every planner, template, and productivity hack (spoiler: it’s not a discipline issue)

How to create structure that flexes with your energy, brain, and workflow

Simple strategies to reduce overwhelm—like buffer days, batching, and mixing analog with digital tools

How to stop fighting your natural work rhythm and start designing processes you’ll actually use

Want to Ditch Rigid Systems Forever?

✨ Inside Ink to Income, we design luxury-level client experiences for creatives who crave flexibility, not hustle. You’ll learn how to create workflows that serve your clients and support your energy. Join the movement: themainstage.ca/inktoincome

Let’s Chat

What’s one rule in your business that needs to bend (or break)?
DM me on IG @themainstage.ca or find me in the chaos on Threads.

Loved This Episode?

Send it to a biz bestie. Leave a review. Share it on Threads. Let’s help more creative weirdos build unfuckwithable businesses.

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> You’re Not Bad at Business—Your Workflow Just Wasn’t Built for You themainstage.ca, Kathleen Stewart 00:11:14 What’s the secret to a business that feels good and gets results? A flexible workflow. If traditional productivity hacks and color-coded systems make your brain scream “absolutely not,” this episode is for you. We’re talking about creating systems that actually work with your creative brain—not against it. I’ll walk you through how I built a business that adapts to my energy, honors my workflow, and still delivers a luxury client experience What’s the secret to a business that feels good and gets results? A flexible workflow. If traditional productivity hacks and color-coded systems make your brain scream “absolutely not,” this episode is for you. We’re talking about creating systems that actually work with your creative brain—not against it. I’ll walk you through how I built a business that adapts to my energy, honors my workflow, and still delivers a luxury client experience buffer days, business for creatives, project batching, client management, luxury client experience, creative capacity, flexible structure, business systems, sustainable business, burnout prevention, creative workflows, neurodivergent business, flexible planning, creative entrepreneurs, workflow strategy true full 16 096dcbb2-dc1a-4b07-91a2-afeb15bce602 Why Client Projects Fall Apart (and How to Keep Them On Track) Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo. Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer—the podcast for creative service providers who are building businesses that don’t burn them out.

Today we’re diving into the client timeline mess—why it happens, how to fix it, and how to make your client experience feel luxurious as hell without piling more to-dos onto your plate.

Let’s be real: most timelines fall apart because no one’s leading the project, there’s no built-in accountability, and everything feels way too casual. This episode is your step-by-step for turning your process into something that keeps clients engaged, on-track, and coming back for more.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The psychology behind missed deadlines (spoiler: it’s not personal)

How to lead your projects like a high-touch experience clients rave about

Why sending cute reminders isn’t “extra”—it’s essential

How to re-onboard a ghosting client like a boss (and get paid for it)

Tiny upgrades that instantly elevate your client process—without burning out

Want to Elevate Your Client Experience?

If your client timelines are slipping through the cracks, Ink to Income will help you fix that. It’s my done-with-you program for creatives who are ready to build premium, sustainable client workflows. Check it out at themainstage.ca/inktoincome

Let’s talk: What’s the biggest chaos-maker in your current workflow?
DM me on IG @TheMainStage.ca or find me where the chaos lives (Threads).

Loved this episode? Send it to a biz bestie and leave a review—it helps other weirdos find their way.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 4 Apr 2025 04:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (themainstage.ca) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e15-NsKHUDli Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo. Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer—the podcast for creative service providers who are building businesses that don’t burn them out.

Today we’re diving into the client timeline mess—why it happens, how to fix it, and how to make your client experience feel luxurious as hell without piling more to-dos onto your plate.

Let’s be real: most timelines fall apart because no one’s leading the project, there’s no built-in accountability, and everything feels way too casual. This episode is your step-by-step for turning your process into something that keeps clients engaged, on-track, and coming back for more.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The psychology behind missed deadlines (spoiler: it’s not personal)

How to lead your projects like a high-touch experience clients rave about

Why sending cute reminders isn’t “extra”—it’s essential

How to re-onboard a ghosting client like a boss (and get paid for it)

Tiny upgrades that instantly elevate your client process—without burning out

Want to Elevate Your Client Experience?

If your client timelines are slipping through the cracks, Ink to Income will help you fix that. It’s my done-with-you program for creatives who are ready to build premium, sustainable client workflows. Check it out at themainstage.ca/inktoincome

Let’s talk: What’s the biggest chaos-maker in your current workflow?
DM me on IG @TheMainStage.ca or find me where the chaos lives (Threads).

Loved this episode? Send it to a biz bestie and leave a review—it helps other weirdos find their way.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Why Client Projects Fall Apart (and How to Keep Them On Track) themainstage.ca 00:13:01 What’s the fastest way to tank your client relationships? A messy timeline. If your projects always seem to spiral, deadlines go ignored, and clients ghost halfway through—this episode is for you. Because guess what? Your client experience isn’t just about what you deliver—it’s about how you guide them through it. In this episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, we’re diving into: ✔ Why your clients need more reminders and structure than you think ✔ How a casual timeline creates chaos (and kills your premium vibe) ✔ The connection between leadership and smooth delivery ✔ How to turn ghosting into a re-onboarding opportunity (yes, really) If you want to run a business that feels like a five-star experience without working 24/7, this episode is your starting point. What’s the fastest way to tank your client relationships? A messy timeline. If your projects always seem to spiral, deadlines go ignored, and clients ghost halfway through—this episode is for you. Because guess what? Your client experience isn’t just about what you deliver—it’s about how you guide them through it. In this episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, we’re diving into: ✔ Why your clients need more reminders and structure than you think ✔ How a casual timeline creates chaos (and kills your premium vibe) ✔ The connection between leadership and smooth delivery ✔ How to turn ghosting into a re-onboarding opportunity (yes, really) If you want to run a business that feels like a five-star experience without working 24/7, this episode is your starting point. client onboarding, project management, service providers, neurodivergent-friendly systems, luxury client service, business organization, client timeline, workflow systems, automated reminders, client experience strategy, referral-worthy service, boundaries in business, creative entrepreneurs true full 15 ad66c340-e0b1-4c76-9c7b-09649b804d41 My Clients Thought Boundaries Would Kill Their Business Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about boundaries—the thing you know you should set but secretly worry will scare clients away. Spoiler: It won’t.

If you’ve ever:

  • Answered client emails at 11 PM because you felt bad making them wait
  • Said “yes” to scope creep because you didn’t want to seem difficult
  • Felt like setting boundaries would make clients leave…

Then this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔ Why setting boundaries triggers anxiety (and how to push through it)
✔ The sneaky ways bad boundaries lead to more client friction, not less
✔ Simple scripts for enforcing boundaries without sounding like a jerk
✔ How setting limits actually attracts better clients, not fewer clients
✔ One small boundary shift you can make this week to protect your time & sanity

Want to Build a Business That Respects Your Time?

🚀 Need help fixing your client experience so you’re not constantly overworking? Check out Ink to Income, my done-with-you program that helps creatives build workflows that actually work. Learn more at themainstage.ca/inktoincome.

💬 Let’s Talk: What’s the boundary you know you need to set? DM me on IG @TheMainStage.ca.

🎧 Loved this episode? Share it with a biz bestie and leave a review—it helps more creatives like you build sustainable businesses.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 21 Mar 2025 04:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e13-MfS9BUw6 Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about boundaries—the thing you know you should set but secretly worry will scare clients away. Spoiler: It won’t.

If you’ve ever:

  • Answered client emails at 11 PM because you felt bad making them wait
  • Said “yes” to scope creep because you didn’t want to seem difficult
  • Felt like setting boundaries would make clients leave…

Then this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔ Why setting boundaries triggers anxiety (and how to push through it)
✔ The sneaky ways bad boundaries lead to more client friction, not less
✔ Simple scripts for enforcing boundaries without sounding like a jerk
✔ How setting limits actually attracts better clients, not fewer clients
✔ One small boundary shift you can make this week to protect your time & sanity

Want to Build a Business That Respects Your Time?

🚀 Need help fixing your client experience so you’re not constantly overworking? Check out Ink to Income, my done-with-you program that helps creatives build workflows that actually work. Learn more at themainstage.ca/inktoincome.

💬 Let’s Talk: What’s the boundary you know you need to set? DM me on IG @TheMainStage.ca.

🎧 Loved this episode? Share it with a biz bestie and leave a review—it helps more creatives like you build sustainable businesses.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> My Clients Thought Boundaries Would Kill Their Business The Main Stage 00:14:06 The biggest lie about boundaries? That setting them will ruin your business. If you’ve ever panicked at the thought of saying "no" to a client or worried that setting boundaries would make you seem difficult, this episode is for you. The truth is, lack of boundaries isn’t keeping your clients happy—it’s probably making them miserable. If you’re ready to stop bending over backward for clients and start protecting your energy without losing business, this episode is a must-listen. The biggest lie about boundaries? That setting them will ruin your business. If you’ve ever panicked at the thought of saying "no" to a client or worried that setting boundaries would make you seem difficult, this episode is for you. The truth is, lack of boundaries isn’t keeping your clients happy—it’s probably making them miserable. If you’re ready to stop bending over backward for clients and start protecting your energy without losing business, this episode is a must-listen. the main stage, creative business systems, service provider burnout, ink to income, client boundaries, how to set business boundaries, kat stewart podcast, digital junk drawer podcast., boundaries in business, neurodivergent entrepreneur true full 13 00a29c47-826f-4501-9c8f-8f4e3ea077b7 Overworked & Underpaid? The Cost of No Systems (And 3 Ways to Fix It) Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about systems—the thing you keep saying you’ll set up “when you have time.” But let’s be real: that time will never magically appear.

If you’re running your business on vibes, hope, and a million scattered Google Docs, this is your intervention.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why “I don’t have time for systems” is the biggest lie you’re telling yourself
  • The hidden cost of running your business without structure (hint: disorganization is robbing you of hours every week)
  • How to fix your biggest workflow messes without spending hours setting up complicated tech
  • The small system tweaks that will help you work less, earn more, and avoid burnout
  • Why setting up systems now makes scaling easier later

 Want to Get Your Business Running Smoother?

Need help fixing your client experience so things don’t fall through the cracks? Check out Ink to Income, my done-with-you program that helps creatives build workflows that actually work. Learn more at themainstage.ca/inktoincome

 Let’s Talk: What’s the biggest system struggle in your business? DM me on IG @TheMainStage.ca

Loved this episode? Share it with a biz bestie and leave a review—it helps more creatives like you build sustainable businesses.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 14 Mar 2025 12:38:26 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e12-V_Sf9D2P Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about systems—the thing you keep saying you’ll set up “when you have time.” But let’s be real: that time will never magically appear.

If you’re running your business on vibes, hope, and a million scattered Google Docs, this is your intervention.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  • Why “I don’t have time for systems” is the biggest lie you’re telling yourself
  • The hidden cost of running your business without structure (hint: disorganization is robbing you of hours every week)
  • How to fix your biggest workflow messes without spending hours setting up complicated tech
  • The small system tweaks that will help you work less, earn more, and avoid burnout
  • Why setting up systems now makes scaling easier later

 Want to Get Your Business Running Smoother?

Need help fixing your client experience so things don’t fall through the cracks? Check out Ink to Income, my done-with-you program that helps creatives build workflows that actually work. Learn more at themainstage.ca/inktoincome

 Let’s Talk: What’s the biggest system struggle in your business? DM me on IG @TheMainStage.ca

Loved this episode? Share it with a biz bestie and leave a review—it helps more creatives like you build sustainable businesses.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Overworked & Underpaid? The Cost of No Systems (And 3 Ways to Fix It) The Main Stage 00:18:59 The biggest lie in business? "I don’t have time for systems." If you’re constantly drowning in admin work, playing email tag with clients, or scrambling to find project details, this episode is for you. The truth is, bad systems aren’t saving you time—they’re costing you money, creativity, and client trust. In this episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, we’re breaking down: ✔ Why "I’ll do it when I’m less busy" is a dangerous excuse keeping you stuck ✔ The hidden cost of disorganization (hint: your Google Drive might be a crime scene) ✔ How bad systems are draining your time, energy, and ability to scale ✔ Three simple workflow fixes you can implement today (without tech overwhelm) If your business feels like organized chaos (or just chaos), this episode will help you get back in control. The biggest lie in business? "I don’t have time for systems." If you’re constantly drowning in admin work, playing email tag with clients, or scrambling to find project details, this episode is for you. The truth is, bad systems aren’t saving you time—they’re costing you money, creativity, and client trust. In this episode of The Digital Junk Drawer, we’re breaking down: ✔ Why "I’ll do it when I’m less busy" is a dangerous excuse keeping you stuck ✔ The hidden cost of disorganization (hint: your Google Drive might be a crime scene) ✔ How bad systems are draining your time, energy, and ability to scale ✔ Three simple workflow fixes you can implement today (without tech overwhelm) If your business feels like organized chaos (or just chaos), this episode will help you get back in control. service providers, productivity hacks, automation, business growth, client workflows, business systems, time management, onboarding, creative entrepreneurs true full 12 83ae2533-29c6-49ca-922e-4947b38d4524 4 Tips to Surviving Slow Seasons Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about something every freelancer and creative business owner experiences: slow seasons. They suck, but they don’t have to derail your entire year. Instead of hoping your next dry spell magically disappears, I’ll show you how to prepare for it, smooth out your cash flow, and make slow seasons work for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

💡 The biggest slow season mistakes most creatives make (and how to avoid them)
📊 How to use past revenue data to predict your slow months
🛠 Why “passive income” isn’t as passive as people claim—but how to build revenue streams that help you stay afloat
💰 The power of retainer clients, pre-selling, and micro-offers to stabilize your income
🚀 How to stay visible in slow seasons—without coming across as desperate
 

Want to Stop the Slow Season Scramble?

👉 Need help getting your pricing right so you’re not undercharging during slow seasons? Check out my Pricing Audit—so you can stop second-guessing your rates and start charging sustainably. Grab yours at themainstage.ca/pricingaudit.

💬 Let’s Talk → Hit me up on Threads @TheMainStage.ca and tell me your worst slow season story—I wanna hear it.

🎙 If this episode hit home, share it with a biz bestie and leave a review!

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 7 Mar 2025 14:03:30 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e11-UIpP3Vhn Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about something every freelancer and creative business owner experiences: slow seasons. They suck, but they don’t have to derail your entire year. Instead of hoping your next dry spell magically disappears, I’ll show you how to prepare for it, smooth out your cash flow, and make slow seasons work for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

💡 The biggest slow season mistakes most creatives make (and how to avoid them)
📊 How to use past revenue data to predict your slow months
🛠 Why “passive income” isn’t as passive as people claim—but how to build revenue streams that help you stay afloat
💰 The power of retainer clients, pre-selling, and micro-offers to stabilize your income
🚀 How to stay visible in slow seasons—without coming across as desperate
 

Want to Stop the Slow Season Scramble?

👉 Need help getting your pricing right so you’re not undercharging during slow seasons? Check out my Pricing Audit—so you can stop second-guessing your rates and start charging sustainably. Grab yours at themainstage.ca/pricingaudit.

💬 Let’s Talk → Hit me up on Threads @TheMainStage.ca and tell me your worst slow season story—I wanna hear it.

🎙 If this episode hit home, share it with a biz bestie and leave a review!

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> 4 Tips to Surviving Slow Seasons The Main Stage 00:19:02 Slow seasons can make any creative business owner feel like they’re doing something wrong—but here’s the truth: they’re predictable. If you know when they’re coming, you can prepare instead of panic. In this episode, I break down how to stop the feast-or-famine cycle and actually use slow seasons to your advantage (instead of spiraling into job board searches). We’re covering: ✔️ Why “I don’t have time for systems” is a lie that’s costing you money ✔️ The four strategies that keep your business profitable year-round ✔️ How to spot slow season patterns so you’re never caught off guard ✔️ What NOT to do when things get quiet (hint: slashing your prices isn’t the answer) If you’ve ever felt the slow season panic creep in, this episode is for you. Slow seasons can make any creative business owner feel like they’re doing something wrong—but here’s the truth: they’re predictable. If you know when they’re coming, you can prepare instead of panic. In this episode, I break down how to stop the feast-or-famine cycle and actually use slow seasons to your advantage (instead of spiraling into job board searches). We’re covering: ✔️ Why “I don’t have time for systems” is a lie that’s costing you money ✔️ The four strategies that keep your business profitable year-round ✔️ How to spot slow season patterns so you’re never caught off guard ✔️ What NOT to do when things get quiet (hint: slashing your prices isn’t the answer) If you’ve ever felt the slow season panic creep in, this episode is for you. retainer clients, pricing audits, feast or famine cycle, off-season business strategies, business dry spells, creative service providers, how to survive slow seasons, passive income for creatives, how to make money in slow months, predictable income streams, pricing strategy for freelancers, small business revenue planning, freelancer slow seasons, client retention, sustainable business growth, scaling a service-based business, freelance cash flow true full 11 b7d82790-8722-4a9d-9dab-5f2d627e5a7d Why the Perfect Biz System is a Scam (And What to Do Instead) Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about why systems are sexy (yes, I said it) and how to make them work for you. No more forcing yourself into frameworks that aren’t built for your brain. Instead, we’re covering how to design systems that fit your energy, simplify before automating, and stop drowning in a graveyard of unused tools.

If you’re tired of feeling like the problem when a new system doesn’t work, let’s flip the script—because you are not the problem. Your system just needs to fit you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

⚡ Why there’s no such thing as a “perfect” system—and why that’s a good thing.
📉 The biggest mistakes people make when trying to systemize their business.
🔄 How to build workflows that align with your actual energy levels.
💡 The truth about automation (hint: it won’t fix a broken process).
🛠 Why the best system is the one you’ll actually use.

Links and Resources Mentioned

🌐 Check out my website: TheMainStage.ca
📱 Join the chaos on Threads: @TheMainStage.ca

If you loved this episode, leave a review and share it with your biz besties! 🎙✨

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 28 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e10-lyNcdRvM Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, we’re talking about why systems are sexy (yes, I said it) and how to make them work for you. No more forcing yourself into frameworks that aren’t built for your brain. Instead, we’re covering how to design systems that fit your energy, simplify before automating, and stop drowning in a graveyard of unused tools.

If you’re tired of feeling like the problem when a new system doesn’t work, let’s flip the script—because you are not the problem. Your system just needs to fit you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

⚡ Why there’s no such thing as a “perfect” system—and why that’s a good thing.
📉 The biggest mistakes people make when trying to systemize their business.
🔄 How to build workflows that align with your actual energy levels.
💡 The truth about automation (hint: it won’t fix a broken process).
🛠 Why the best system is the one you’ll actually use.

Links and Resources Mentioned

🌐 Check out my website: TheMainStage.ca
📱 Join the chaos on Threads: @TheMainStage.ca

If you loved this episode, leave a review and share it with your biz besties! 🎙✨

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Why the Perfect Biz System is a Scam (And What to Do Instead) The Main Stage 00:17:20 I sat down with myself (yes, really) to talk about why business systems don’t have to be boring, rigid, or soul-sucking. We’re diving into the myth of the “perfect system,” how to stop collecting frameworks that don’t work for you, and why the sexiest systems are the ones that actually fit your energy and business. If you’ve ever bought a fancy template only to abandon it two weeks later, this episode is for you. I sat down with myself (yes, really) to talk about why business systems don’t have to be boring, rigid, or soul-sucking. We’re diving into the myth of the “perfect system,” how to stop collecting frameworks that don’t work for you, and why the sexiest systems are the ones that actually fit your energy and business. If you’ve ever bought a fancy template only to abandon it two weeks later, this episode is for you. creative entrepreneur tips, ethical business, workflow optimization, sustainable business practices, ethical business practices, business systems, solopreneur productivity, systems for solopreneurs, small business organization, creative business strategies true full 10 b9cc66ac-3016-491c-9654-30e2004b6274 Website Woes? Olivia Su on Making Your Site Work for You Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, I’m joined by Olivia Su, a web designer who helps service providers create websites that actually work. We’re talkin why so many websites fail to attract clients, how to avoid common mistakes, and what every service provider should have on their homepage. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by building your site or confused about where to start, Olivia’s got the answers. Let’s get into it!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

🎨 Why your homepage is the most important part of your website—and how to make it work for you.
💡 The biggest mistakes most service providers make on their websites (and how to fix them).
📢 How clarity and strategy make the difference between a website that converts and one that confuses.
🛠 The best website platforms for DIY-ers vs. those ready to outsource.
🔑 Why even web designers struggle with their own website copy—and what you can learn from it.

Links and Resources Mentioned

🔗 Follow Olivia on Instagram: @ZigZagCreative.co
🔗 Check out Olivia’s website: ZigZagCreative.co
🔗 Recommended website platforms: Squarespace for beginners, Webflow for more advanced users.

Connect with Kathleen:

🌐 Website: TheMainStage.ca
📱 Threads: @TheMainStage.ca

If you loved this episode, leave a review and share it with your biz besties! 🎙✨

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 21 Feb 2025 05:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (ZigZagCreativeCo) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e9-ubltPaHU Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, the podcast where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, I’m joined by Olivia Su, a web designer who helps service providers create websites that actually work. We’re talkin why so many websites fail to attract clients, how to avoid common mistakes, and what every service provider should have on their homepage. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by building your site or confused about where to start, Olivia’s got the answers. Let’s get into it!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

🎨 Why your homepage is the most important part of your website—and how to make it work for you.
💡 The biggest mistakes most service providers make on their websites (and how to fix them).
📢 How clarity and strategy make the difference between a website that converts and one that confuses.
🛠 The best website platforms for DIY-ers vs. those ready to outsource.
🔑 Why even web designers struggle with their own website copy—and what you can learn from it.

Links and Resources Mentioned

🔗 Follow Olivia on Instagram: @ZigZagCreative.co
🔗 Check out Olivia’s website: ZigZagCreative.co
🔗 Recommended website platforms: Squarespace for beginners, Webflow for more advanced users.

Connect with Kathleen:

🌐 Website: TheMainStage.ca
📱 Threads: @TheMainStage.ca

If you loved this episode, leave a review and share it with your biz besties! 🎙✨

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Website Woes? Olivia Su on Making Your Site Work for You ZigZagCreativeCo 00:49:22 I sat down with Olivia Su, a talented web designer, to talk about how creative service providers can build a website that actually works for their business. We cover everything from why your homepage is the most important real estate on your site to how to make sure your website clearly communicates your brand. If you've ever felt lost trying to DIY your site or wondered if you even need one, this episode is for you. I sat down with Olivia Su, a talented web designer, to talk about how creative service providers can build a website that actually works for their business. We cover everything from why your homepage is the most important real estate on your site to how to make sure your website clearly communicates your brand. If you've ever felt lost trying to DIY your site or wondered if you even need one, this episode is for you. diy website, web design tips, homepage strategy, website design, creative business strategies true full 9 fdea23ce-853d-4847-b8e2-fac7bc59cbc8 Finding Your Brand Voice & Making Your Copy Stick With Hanna Marcus Hey there, I'm Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, I’m joined by Hanna from Boundless Copy to talk about something that so many of us struggle with—sounding like ourselves in our business. If you’ve ever stared at your website copy and thought, “Ugh, this doesn’t sound like me at all,” or felt like you had to be more professional to be taken seriously, this episode is for you. We’re breaking down how to develop a brand voice that feels natural, attracts the right clients, and makes you excited to show up online. Let’s get into it!
 

Key Moments:

  • [00:01:09] Hanna’s journey from journalist to copywriter and why she ditched newsrooms for brand storytelling.
  • [00:04:12] Why social media platforms like Threads can be a game-changer for finding your brand voice.
  • [00:07:16] How Hanna helps business owners embrace their unique way of speaking to attract the right clients.
  • [00:13:18] A sneak peek into Personality Hire, Hanna’s upcoming program on writing personality-packed website copy.
  • [00:17:14] The one tip you need to start making your website copy feel more like you.
  • [00:22:08] How to build your Brand Voice Dictionary (yes, it’s a thing, and yes, you need one!).
  • [00:29:49] Why comparison is the fastest way to stall your business and what to do instead.

Resources & Mentions:

  • Follow Hanna on Instagram & Threads: @BoundlessCopy
  • Check out Boundless Copy’s website: boundlesscopy.com
  • Get on the waitlist for Personality Hire: boundlesscopy.com/personalityhire
  • Learn to build your Brand Voice Dictionary with The Brand Voice Roundup: boundlesscopyshop.com

Connect with Kathleen:

If you loved this episode, leave a review and share it with your biz besties! 🎙✨

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2025 11:42:38 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (Boundless Copy) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e8-_xnIrjoP Hey there, I'm Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for unfiltered advice, actionable strategies, and a little bit of fun.

Today, I’m joined by Hanna from Boundless Copy to talk about something that so many of us struggle with—sounding like ourselves in our business. If you’ve ever stared at your website copy and thought, “Ugh, this doesn’t sound like me at all,” or felt like you had to be more professional to be taken seriously, this episode is for you. We’re breaking down how to develop a brand voice that feels natural, attracts the right clients, and makes you excited to show up online. Let’s get into it!
 

Key Moments:

  • [00:01:09] Hanna’s journey from journalist to copywriter and why she ditched newsrooms for brand storytelling.
  • [00:04:12] Why social media platforms like Threads can be a game-changer for finding your brand voice.
  • [00:07:16] How Hanna helps business owners embrace their unique way of speaking to attract the right clients.
  • [00:13:18] A sneak peek into Personality Hire, Hanna’s upcoming program on writing personality-packed website copy.
  • [00:17:14] The one tip you need to start making your website copy feel more like you.
  • [00:22:08] How to build your Brand Voice Dictionary (yes, it’s a thing, and yes, you need one!).
  • [00:29:49] Why comparison is the fastest way to stall your business and what to do instead.

Resources & Mentions:

  • Follow Hanna on Instagram & Threads: @BoundlessCopy
  • Check out Boundless Copy’s website: boundlesscopy.com
  • Get on the waitlist for Personality Hire: boundlesscopy.com/personalityhire
  • Learn to build your Brand Voice Dictionary with The Brand Voice Roundup: boundlesscopyshop.com

Connect with Kathleen:

If you loved this episode, leave a review and share it with your biz besties! 🎙✨

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Finding Your Brand Voice & Making Your Copy Stick With Hanna Marcus Boundless Copy 00:31:43 In this episode, I sat down with Hanna, the genius behind Boundless Copy, to talk about how creative service providers can develop a strong brand voice and craft website copy that actually connects with their dream audience. Hanna shared her journey from journalism to copywriting, the power of showing up as yourself, and why traditional "professionalism" is completely overrated. In this episode, I sat down with Hanna, the genius behind Boundless Copy, to talk about how creative service providers can develop a strong brand voice and craft website copy that actually connects with their dream audience. Hanna shared her journey from journalism to copywriting, the power of showing up as yourself, and why traditional "professionalism" is completely overrated. personality-driven business, copywriting, brand identity, messaging strategy, creative entrepreneurs, brand voice, website copy, small business marketing true full 8 aac1b16b-faf2-4030-9ec5-9504f34f6339 It’s Not Me, It’s You: Dealing with Difficult Clients Without Losing Your Sanity Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.

Today, we’re talking about difficult clients—the ones who push boundaries, expect magic without effort, and make you question your entire existence. If you’ve ever felt like you were over-delivering, underappreciated, or just plain drained by a client relationship, let’s unpack that.

I’ll be sharing:

  • A personal story about a coaching client who thought “showing up” = instant sales (spoiler: it didn’t).
  • How I got stuck redoing her entire launch after she fired her team (fun times).
  • The moment I realized it wasn’t me—it was her mindset and lack of preparation.
  • The importance of boundaries, clear expectations, and knowing when to say no.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

💡 Why difficult clients are not a reflection of your worth.
💡 How to reframe challenging situations so you don’t take on someone else’s stress.
💡 The role of boundaries in protecting your time, energy, and creativity.
💡 How to identify red flags before you get sucked into a chaotic client relationship.
💡 Why saying no to the wrong clients creates space for the right ones.

Tiny Stepper of the Day

Here’s your one small action for today:
Take five minutes to reflect on a time when a client drained your energy. Write down:

  1. What you learned from that experience.
  2. One boundary you wish you had set.
  3. How you’ll handle a similar situation differently in the future.

Your peace is priceless—protect it.

Links and Resources Mentioned

🔗 TheMainStage.ca – Want to stop overbooking and create a business that works for you? Check out my latest resources.
🔗 Follow Me on Threads – Need behind-the-scenes chaos and unfiltered biz tea? 

Come find me on Threads: @TheMainStage.ca.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 7 Feb 2025 11:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e7-ULDz9kql Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.

Today, we’re talking about difficult clients—the ones who push boundaries, expect magic without effort, and make you question your entire existence. If you’ve ever felt like you were over-delivering, underappreciated, or just plain drained by a client relationship, let’s unpack that.

I’ll be sharing:

  • A personal story about a coaching client who thought “showing up” = instant sales (spoiler: it didn’t).
  • How I got stuck redoing her entire launch after she fired her team (fun times).
  • The moment I realized it wasn’t me—it was her mindset and lack of preparation.
  • The importance of boundaries, clear expectations, and knowing when to say no.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

💡 Why difficult clients are not a reflection of your worth.
💡 How to reframe challenging situations so you don’t take on someone else’s stress.
💡 The role of boundaries in protecting your time, energy, and creativity.
💡 How to identify red flags before you get sucked into a chaotic client relationship.
💡 Why saying no to the wrong clients creates space for the right ones.

Tiny Stepper of the Day

Here’s your one small action for today:
Take five minutes to reflect on a time when a client drained your energy. Write down:

  1. What you learned from that experience.
  2. One boundary you wish you had set.
  3. How you’ll handle a similar situation differently in the future.

Your peace is priceless—protect it.

Links and Resources Mentioned

🔗 TheMainStage.ca – Want to stop overbooking and create a business that works for you? Check out my latest resources.
🔗 Follow Me on Threads – Need behind-the-scenes chaos and unfiltered biz tea? 

Come find me on Threads: @TheMainStage.ca.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> It’s Not Me, It’s You: Dealing with Difficult Clients Without Losing Your Sanity The Main Stage 00:15:03 I dive into the messy reality of difficult clients and why—newsflash—it’s usually not about you. We’ll talk about how to reframe these situations, set boundaries that protect your energy, and stop taking on clients who drain you. Plus, I share a personal story about a coaching client who had zero online presence, assumed their launch would be a banger, and how I got roped into redoing everything after they fired their team. The best part? The lesson I learned: I wasn’t the problem. If you’ve ever dealt with a high-maintenance, boundary-pushing client, this one’s for you. I dive into the messy reality of difficult clients and why—newsflash—it’s usually not about you. We’ll talk about how to reframe these situations, set boundaries that protect your energy, and stop taking on clients who drain you. Plus, I share a personal story about a coaching client who had zero online presence, assumed their launch would be a banger, and how I got roped into redoing everything after they fired their team. The best part? The lesson I learned: I wasn’t the problem. If you’ve ever dealt with a high-maintenance, boundary-pushing client, this one’s for you. business boundaries, setting boundaries with clients, creative service provider struggles', client management, client communication strategies, entrepreneur mindset, managing client expectations, sustainable business practices, setting professional boundaries true full 7 5d103173-19cf-4551-bb03-baffa1ecc2f0 The Year I Said Yes to Everything: Why Being a Yes-Person Cost Me More Than Money Hey there, I'm Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.

Today, we're talking about the year I said yes to everything—and how it nearly destroyed my business and sanity. If you've ever found yourself saying "what's one more task?" or pushing through exhaustion to please clients, this episode is your wake-up call.

I'll be sharing:

  • A personal story about how one client's constant requests led me to learn everything from podcasting to launch management
  • How being a "yes ma'am girl" turned me into a business bestie instead of a business owner
  • The real cost of overbooking—from quality of work to personal relationships
  • Why boundaries aren't just about protecting time, but protecting peace

What You'll Learn in This Episode 💡 Why saying yes to the wrong things costs more than you earn 💡 How to recognize when you're at capacity 💡 The true impact of overbooking on your work quality and creativity 💡 Why boundaries are essential for business growth 💡 How to say no without feeling guilty

Tiny Stepper of the Day Take 15 minutes to do a quick capacity audit:

  1. Write down everything currently on your plate
  2. Highlight anything that's stretching you too thin
  3. Commit to one boundary
  4. Say no to the next thing that doesn't light you up or fit your schedule

Links and Resources Mentioned 🔗 TheMainStage.ca – Ready to turn your beautiful mess into strategic success? Let's make it happen. 🔗 Follow Me on Threads – For unfiltered behind-the-scenes tea about running a business: @themainstage.ca

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Tue, 4 Feb 2025 14:48:14 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e6-3_dEVOGU Hey there, I'm Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.

Today, we're talking about the year I said yes to everything—and how it nearly destroyed my business and sanity. If you've ever found yourself saying "what's one more task?" or pushing through exhaustion to please clients, this episode is your wake-up call.

I'll be sharing:

  • A personal story about how one client's constant requests led me to learn everything from podcasting to launch management
  • How being a "yes ma'am girl" turned me into a business bestie instead of a business owner
  • The real cost of overbooking—from quality of work to personal relationships
  • Why boundaries aren't just about protecting time, but protecting peace

What You'll Learn in This Episode 💡 Why saying yes to the wrong things costs more than you earn 💡 How to recognize when you're at capacity 💡 The true impact of overbooking on your work quality and creativity 💡 Why boundaries are essential for business growth 💡 How to say no without feeling guilty

Tiny Stepper of the Day Take 15 minutes to do a quick capacity audit:

  1. Write down everything currently on your plate
  2. Highlight anything that's stretching you too thin
  3. Commit to one boundary
  4. Say no to the next thing that doesn't light you up or fit your schedule

Links and Resources Mentioned 🔗 TheMainStage.ca – Ready to turn your beautiful mess into strategic success? Let's make it happen. 🔗 Follow Me on Threads – For unfiltered behind-the-scenes tea about running a business: @themainstage.ca

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> The Year I Said Yes to Everything: Why Being a Yes-Person Cost Me More Than Money The Main Stage 00:13:08 I dive into my year of saying "yes" to everything and the harsh lessons learned along the way. From overdelivering to burnout, I share how one client's dangling carrot of "business growth" led me down a path of exhaustion and missed opportunities. If you're a people-pleaser who struggles to say no or finds yourself constantly stretching thin for clients, this episode reveals the true cost of being a "yes" person in business. I dive into my year of saying "yes" to everything and the harsh lessons learned along the way. From overdelivering to burnout, I share how one client's dangling carrot of "business growth" led me down a path of exhaustion and missed opportunities. If you're a people-pleaser who struggles to say no or finds yourself constantly stretching thin for clients, this episode reveals the true cost of being a "yes" person in business. preventing burnout, work-life balance, business boundaries, capacity management, client management, preventing overwhelm, saying no in business, business growth, sustainable business practices, client boundaries, time management, protecting your peace true full 6 26a538c2-d04b-4dfd-af24-91150e7ff916 Post Less, Profit More with Rebecca Stanisic Hey there, I'm Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Rebecca Stanisic, a content strategist who helps overwhelmed business owners create content that works smarter, not harder. Rebecca shares:

  • Why more content isn't always better and how to make your existing content work harder for you
  • The "3-1-1 approach" to content planning that allows for both structure and flexibility
  • How to measure content effectiveness beyond vanity metrics
  • Why clarity in your business goals is essential for stress-free content creation

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by content creation, struggled with consistency, or wondered if you really need to "do it all" on social media, this episode is for you.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

  1. How to simplify your content strategy without sacrificing impact
  2. Why consistency in messaging matters more than frequency of posting
  3. The importance of aligning content creation with your business goals
  4. How to break free from the "post more" mindset and create with intention

Links and Resources Mentioned

  • Learn more about Rebecca's work: RebeccaStanisic.com
  • Sign up for Rebecca's newsletter: RebeccaStanisic.com/newsletter
  • Follow Rebecca on social media: @BitofMomsense
  • Ready to turn your beautiful mess into strategic success? Visit TheMainStage.ca

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 24 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (Rebecca Stanisic) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e5-rXvAzpal Hey there, I'm Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Rebecca Stanisic, a content strategist who helps overwhelmed business owners create content that works smarter, not harder. Rebecca shares:

  • Why more content isn't always better and how to make your existing content work harder for you
  • The "3-1-1 approach" to content planning that allows for both structure and flexibility
  • How to measure content effectiveness beyond vanity metrics
  • Why clarity in your business goals is essential for stress-free content creation

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by content creation, struggled with consistency, or wondered if you really need to "do it all" on social media, this episode is for you.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

  1. How to simplify your content strategy without sacrificing impact
  2. Why consistency in messaging matters more than frequency of posting
  3. The importance of aligning content creation with your business goals
  4. How to break free from the "post more" mindset and create with intention

Links and Resources Mentioned

  • Learn more about Rebecca's work: RebeccaStanisic.com
  • Sign up for Rebecca's newsletter: RebeccaStanisic.com/newsletter
  • Follow Rebecca on social media: @BitofMomsense
  • Ready to turn your beautiful mess into strategic success? Visit TheMainStage.ca

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Post Less, Profit More with Rebecca Stanisic Rebecca Stanisic 00:51:57 In this episode, Rebecca Stanisic shares her refreshing take on content creation, advocating for a simplified, intentional approach over the overwhelming "post more" mentality. With 15 years of experience in content strategy, Rebecca reveals why posting less but with greater purpose can lead to better business outcomes, and how to break free from the pressure of constant content creation without sacrificing growth. In this episode, Rebecca Stanisic shares her refreshing take on content creation, advocating for a simplified, intentional approach over the overwhelming "post more" mentality. With 15 years of experience in content strategy, Rebecca reveals why posting less but with greater purpose can lead to better business outcomes, and how to break free from the pressure of constant content creation without sacrificing growth. content repurposing strategies, content effectiveness measurement, business goal alignment, content planning systems, content strategy simplification, intentional content creation, content overwhelm solutions, content planning, sustainable content creation, social media strategy true full 5 2a92f748-90ca-4cee-abd3-7d533bbb1b64 Embrace Your Weird Hey there, I'm Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies. In this episode, I'm tackling authenticity in business—no filters, no perfect personas, just real talk about being yourself and thriving because of it.

I'll be sharing:

  • My personal journey from background player to embracing visibility
  • Why hiding your quirks is holding your business back
  • How authenticity actually helps you stand out in an oversaturated market
  • The surprising business benefits of embracing your "weirdness"

What You'll Learn in This Episode

  • Why perfection is overrated and authenticity sells
  • How childhood experiences can impact your business confidence
  • Why your unique traits are your best business assets
  • The power of repelling the wrong clients to attract the right ones
  • Why authenticity leads to deeper client relationships

Key Stories & Examples

  • My transformative trip to NOLA with my bestie that changed my perspective
  • Growing up in a small town and dealing with bullying
  • How embracing my quirks led to unexpected business success
  • The moment I decided to stop shrinking myself to fit others' expectations

Tiny Stepper of the Day Take 10 minutes to:

  1. Write down three things that make you weird or unique (hobby, personality trait, or value)
  2. Brainstorm one way to incorporate each into your business
  3. Choose one to implement this week in your content, branding, or client experience

Links and Resources Mentioned

  • Ready to turn your beautiful mess into strategic success? Visit TheMainStage.ca
  • Want the unfiltered behind-the-scenes tea about running a business? Follow me on Threads at @TheMainStage.ca

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 17 Jan 2025 11:55:07 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e4-73HvJAnt Hey there, I'm Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies. In this episode, I'm tackling authenticity in business—no filters, no perfect personas, just real talk about being yourself and thriving because of it.

I'll be sharing:

  • My personal journey from background player to embracing visibility
  • Why hiding your quirks is holding your business back
  • How authenticity actually helps you stand out in an oversaturated market
  • The surprising business benefits of embracing your "weirdness"

What You'll Learn in This Episode

  • Why perfection is overrated and authenticity sells
  • How childhood experiences can impact your business confidence
  • Why your unique traits are your best business assets
  • The power of repelling the wrong clients to attract the right ones
  • Why authenticity leads to deeper client relationships

Key Stories & Examples

  • My transformative trip to NOLA with my bestie that changed my perspective
  • Growing up in a small town and dealing with bullying
  • How embracing my quirks led to unexpected business success
  • The moment I decided to stop shrinking myself to fit others' expectations

Tiny Stepper of the Day Take 10 minutes to:

  1. Write down three things that make you weird or unique (hobby, personality trait, or value)
  2. Brainstorm one way to incorporate each into your business
  3. Choose one to implement this week in your content, branding, or client experience

Links and Resources Mentioned

  • Ready to turn your beautiful mess into strategic success? Visit TheMainStage.ca
  • Want the unfiltered behind-the-scenes tea about running a business? Follow me on Threads at @TheMainStage.ca

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Embrace Your Weird The Main Stage 00:14:23 In this episode, I dive deep into embracing authenticity in business, sharing my journey from hiding my quirks to leveraging them as my greatest asset. If you've ever felt "too much" or struggled with showing your true self in your business, this episode breaks down why being yourself isn't just okay—it's your secret weapon. In this episode, I dive deep into embracing authenticity in business, sharing my journey from hiding my quirks to leveraging them as my greatest asset. If you've ever felt "too much" or struggled with showing your true self in your business, this episode breaks down why being yourself isn't just okay—it's your secret weapon. business mindset, entrepreneurship, small business tips, business growth, personal branding, business authenticity, service based business, online business, creative entrepreneur, authentic marketing true full 4 46a254bc-63c0-4406-a187-e3290795f1e3 Professionally Unprofessional: Building a Business That Works for You Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.
 

In this episode, I’m chatting with Felly Day, founder of Felly Day Studio, about the ups and downs of building a business that doesn’t fit inside the traditional professional box. Felly shares:

  • Her journey from VA work to running a content repurposing agency.
  • The hard lessons learned from bad coaching advice.
  • Why backing yourself (even when others don’t) is essential for success.

If you’ve ever struggled with trusting your own ideas, felt pressured to fit into a “professional” mold, or wondered if you could build a business that works with your personality, this episode is for you.
 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  1. Why following bad advice can derail your business—and how to avoid it.
  2. How Felly’s signature offer, “The Remix,” was born out of listening to her audience.
  3. The importance of trusting your gut and backing your ideas, even when others don’t.
  4. Why being professionally unprofessional is a secret weapon for creative entrepreneurs.

Links and Resources Mentioned

  • Learn more about Felly Day Studio: FellyDay.com
  • Follow Felly on Threads: @FellyDay
  • Explore “The Remix” and “Repurposing Unlimited” services.
  • Ready to turn your beautiful mess into strategic success? Visit TheMainStage.ca.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 10 Jan 2025 12:10:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (FellyDay.com) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e3-dI2M_6Si Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.
 

In this episode, I’m chatting with Felly Day, founder of Felly Day Studio, about the ups and downs of building a business that doesn’t fit inside the traditional professional box. Felly shares:

  • Her journey from VA work to running a content repurposing agency.
  • The hard lessons learned from bad coaching advice.
  • Why backing yourself (even when others don’t) is essential for success.

If you’ve ever struggled with trusting your own ideas, felt pressured to fit into a “professional” mold, or wondered if you could build a business that works with your personality, this episode is for you.
 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  1. Why following bad advice can derail your business—and how to avoid it.
  2. How Felly’s signature offer, “The Remix,” was born out of listening to her audience.
  3. The importance of trusting your gut and backing your ideas, even when others don’t.
  4. Why being professionally unprofessional is a secret weapon for creative entrepreneurs.

Links and Resources Mentioned

  • Learn more about Felly Day Studio: FellyDay.com
  • Follow Felly on Threads: @FellyDay
  • Explore “The Remix” and “Repurposing Unlimited” services.
  • Ready to turn your beautiful mess into strategic success? Visit TheMainStage.ca.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Professionally Unprofessional: Building a Business That Works for You FellyDay.com 00:41:03 In this episode, I’m joined by Felly Day of Felly Day Studio to dive into the art of building a business that works for you. From living the beach life to managing a content repurposing agency, Felly shares her journey of breaking the rules, trusting her gut, and embracing her unique, professionally unprofessional style. We talk about navigating unsolicited advice, redefining “good enough,” and finding the freedom to run a business on your own terms—even when it goes against conventional wisdom. In this episode, I’m joined by Felly Day of Felly Day Studio to dive into the art of building a business that works for you. From living the beach life to managing a content repurposing agency, Felly shares her journey of breaking the rules, trusting her gut, and embracing her unique, professionally unprofessional style. We talk about navigating unsolicited advice, redefining “good enough,” and finding the freedom to run a business on your own terms—even when it goes against conventional wisdom. content repurposing strategies, navigating bad business advice, overcoming bad coaching advice, building confidence in your business ideas, creative business pricing tips, breaking the rules in business, breaking the professional mold in business, scalable content strategies for entrepreneurs true full 3 f8fe92a1-8a14-434d-b901-03f38d2cd7ab Messy Action: Escaping the Planning Trap Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.

In this episode, we’re tackling business planning—not the kind that keeps you waiting for everything to be perfect, but the kind that gets you to take messy, imperfect action. If you’ve ever been stuck in a cycle of spreadsheets, color-coded plans, and “just one more tool” procrastination, this one’s for you.

I’ll be sharing:

  • My own cringeworthy story about being trapped in the procrasti-planning trap for years.
  • Why over-planning keeps you stuck and how to break free.
  • How to embrace planned experimentation to make progress in a strategic but messy way.

If you’re ready to move forward with your ideas—even if they’re imperfect—this episode will help you take that first step.

 

Tiny Stepper of the Day
I’ve got a tiny stepper for you today: Take one small, imperfect action.

  • Schedule a 15-minute brain dump for your next big idea.
  • Send a DM to a potential client.
  • Create the smallest version of your big passion project and see where it takes you.

 

Links and Resources Mentioned

  • Turn your beautiful mess into strategic success! Visit TheMainStage.ca to explore how we can help.
  • Want the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes chaos of running a business? Follow me on Threads: @TheMainStage.ca

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 10 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e2-vXQzyGrJ Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies.

In this episode, we’re tackling business planning—not the kind that keeps you waiting for everything to be perfect, but the kind that gets you to take messy, imperfect action. If you’ve ever been stuck in a cycle of spreadsheets, color-coded plans, and “just one more tool” procrastination, this one’s for you.

I’ll be sharing:

  • My own cringeworthy story about being trapped in the procrasti-planning trap for years.
  • Why over-planning keeps you stuck and how to break free.
  • How to embrace planned experimentation to make progress in a strategic but messy way.

If you’re ready to move forward with your ideas—even if they’re imperfect—this episode will help you take that first step.

 

Tiny Stepper of the Day
I’ve got a tiny stepper for you today: Take one small, imperfect action.

  • Schedule a 15-minute brain dump for your next big idea.
  • Send a DM to a potential client.
  • Create the smallest version of your big passion project and see where it takes you.

 

Links and Resources Mentioned

  • Turn your beautiful mess into strategic success! Visit TheMainStage.ca to explore how we can help.
  • Want the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes chaos of running a business? Follow me on Threads: @TheMainStage.ca

 

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Messy Action: Escaping the Planning Trap The Main Stage 00:10:28 In this episode, I dive into the messy world of business planning—real, actionable planning that doesn’t wait for perfection. Forget about the “perfect” systems and overcomplicated workflows that keep you stuck. I share my personal journey of escaping the “planning to plan” trap and offer practical strategies for embracing controlled chaos and launching your ideas into the world. In this episode, I dive into the messy world of business planning—real, actionable planning that doesn’t wait for perfection. Forget about the “perfect” systems and overcomplicated workflows that keep you stuck. I share my personal journey of escaping the “planning to plan” trap and offer practical strategies for embracing controlled chaos and launching your ideas into the world. realistic business launch tips, neurodivergent-friendly business tips, launching a service-based business, strategic business planning tips, business tips for service providers, how to take imperfect action in business true full 2 15597185-8f72-4df7-a987-b655823e3773 Pricing Your Services Like a Pro Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies. In this episode, I’m tackling pricing—no fluff, no “charge your worth” nonsense, just real-world tips to help you figure out what to charge and where to start.

 

I’ll be sharing:

  • How to calculate your baseline costs so you’re not losing money.
  • Why billable hours aren’t always what they seem.
  • Three pricing strategies you can use to create packages that actually work for your business.

If you’ve been pulling your prices out of thin air or just copying what someone else is doing, this episode is for you.

 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • Why “charging your worth” is bad advice—and what to focus on instead.
  • How to calculate your minimum hourly rate with a simple formula.
  • The three pricing methods I love for service-based businesses:
    1. Value Stack Method – Add value to your core services.
    2. Milestone Method – Break big projects into manageable phases.
    3. Capacity Block Method – Price based on the time and deliverables you can handle.

Tiny Stepper of the Day

I’ve got a tiny stepper for you today: Look at your last three projects. Which of these pricing methods would have made them more profitable and enjoyable? Start experimenting and see what works for you.

 

Links and Resources Mentioned

  • Download the Free Pricing Worksheet: I’ve created a free worksheet to help you calculate your costs and explore the pricing methods I shared in this episode. Grab it at TheMainStage.ca
  • Follow Me on Threads: Want unfiltered, behind-the-scenes chaos? Come hang out with me on Threads at @themainstage.ca.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Fri, 10 Jan 2025 01:37:38 +0000 hello@themainstage.ca (The Main Stage) https://digital-junk-drawer.simplecast.com/episodes/s1e1-7UGKAWDA Hey there, I’m Kathleen Stewart, your host and resident weirdo! Welcome to The Digital Junk Drawer, where creative service-based businesses come for practical advice and actionable strategies. In this episode, I’m tackling pricing—no fluff, no “charge your worth” nonsense, just real-world tips to help you figure out what to charge and where to start.

 

I’ll be sharing:

  • How to calculate your baseline costs so you’re not losing money.
  • Why billable hours aren’t always what they seem.
  • Three pricing strategies you can use to create packages that actually work for your business.

If you’ve been pulling your prices out of thin air or just copying what someone else is doing, this episode is for you.

 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • Why “charging your worth” is bad advice—and what to focus on instead.
  • How to calculate your minimum hourly rate with a simple formula.
  • The three pricing methods I love for service-based businesses:
    1. Value Stack Method – Add value to your core services.
    2. Milestone Method – Break big projects into manageable phases.
    3. Capacity Block Method – Price based on the time and deliverables you can handle.

Tiny Stepper of the Day

I’ve got a tiny stepper for you today: Look at your last three projects. Which of these pricing methods would have made them more profitable and enjoyable? Start experimenting and see what works for you.

 

Links and Resources Mentioned

  • Download the Free Pricing Worksheet: I’ve created a free worksheet to help you calculate your costs and explore the pricing methods I shared in this episode. Grab it at TheMainStage.ca
  • Follow Me on Threads: Want unfiltered, behind-the-scenes chaos? Come hang out with me on Threads at @themainstage.ca.

Where to find Kat

Threads: @themainstage.ca
Website: themainstage.ca
K like what? Newsletter:  Sign up here 
LinkedIn: Kathleen Stewart - The Main Stage
LinkedIn Newsletter: Brandthropology

]]> Pricing Your Services Like a Pro The Main Stage 00:09:09 In this episode, I take on the world of pricing for creative service providers. Forget the tired "charge your worth" pep talk—this is real, practical advice for understanding your numbers and setting prices that actually work for your business. I share. my own (humbling) pricing journey and offers three straightforward methods to structure your pricing. In this episode, I take on the world of pricing for creative service providers. Forget the tired "charge your worth" pep talk—this is real, practical advice for understanding your numbers and setting prices that actually work for your business. I share. my own (humbling) pricing journey and offers three straightforward methods to structure your pricing. how to price your services, creative business pricing tips, capacity block pricing method, freelancer hourly rate calculation true full 1